Video: Watch The Amazing 15:15.17 From Katie Ledecky’s American Record 1650 Free

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KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, December 7. YOU just have to shake your head sometimes. World Swimmer of the Year Katie Ledecky not only scorched the American record in the 1650 free by nearly 10 seconds, she lapped the field that included a two-time Olympian in what might be one of the most amazing distance freestyle swims in the history of our sport.

Watch the video below for the amazing swim.

Ledecky hit the 500 yard mark in 4:35.35, just two seconds off the time she used to win the event on day one and if she were in college, would be good enough for an NCAA A cut — as a split. Then, about halfway through the swim, Ledecky lapped her first swimmer. At the 1000 mark, she clocked a 9:14.22, cutting several seconds off her personal best and just a few seconds off Katie Hoff’s American record in that event of a 9:10.77.

Ledecky then left no doubt by keeping up the pace with an unreal 15:15.17 to win the finale and cut almost 10 seconds from Katie Hoff’s 2008 record of 15:24.35 set while swimming for North Baltimore. Notably, Ledecky also crushed her meet record of 15:28.36 that also had stood as the 15-16 U.S. National Age Group record until tonight.